Gaston Road gas leak evacuees allowed back, some streets reopen

A gas leak that prompted Halifax Regional Police and Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Service to evacuate about 550 properties in the area around Gaston Road has been fixed. 

People in residences, businesses, and a daycare in the area were moved away from the scene, but have since been allowed back.

Police say Portland Street in Dartmouth between Joffre Street and Lakefront Road has reopened.

However, Halifax fire says a section of the Gaston Road area is still off limits for vehicles and pedestrians from Portland to Macrae

The call about the leak came in around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Brendan Elliott, a spokesperson for the Halifax Regional Municipality, confirmed the leak happened when a contractor hired by the city to do paving and water main work hit the line.

Halifax Transit buses were brought to the scene for evacuees to sit during the fix.  

Natural gas has a bit of a rotten egg smell. Though it's not pleasant, the leak doesn't pose a risk, said Executive Fire Officer Phil McNulty . "There's no risk to health at this point."

The windy day helped to dissipate the gas, he said.